Water filtration system and water filtration system housing with closing assembly

ABSTRACT

A water filtration system utilizes a housing configured to utilize various types of filter media and having a press-sealed closing system. The closing system includes a head portion defining a head opening, a lock member, and a lid member. The lock member releasably engages the head portion such that an abutment section of the lock member projects into the head opening. The lid member is received by the head portion to cover the head opening, and has an outward-facing press section configured to abut an inward facing portion of the abutment section of the lock member when the lid member is covering the head opening. Pressure generated within the housing during water filtration presses the lid member in an outward direction and causes the lid member press section to press against the abutment section of the lock member to substantially prevent disengagement of the lock member from the head portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. application Ser.No. 14/883,976, filed Oct. 15, 2015 (now U.S. Pat. No. ______), whichapplication was a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/614,115,filed Sep. 13, 2012 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,180,391), and claims priorityto U.S. provisional App. Ser. No. 61/534,872, filed Sep. 14, 2011.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Field of Invention

The instant disclosure generally relates to a water filtration systemhousing and a water filtration system which utilizes the waterfiltration housing. More particularly, the instant disclosure relates toa water filtration housing including a pressure-sealed closing assembly,and a water filtration system using the water filtration housing.

Brief Description of Related Art

Water filtration is well known, and generally involves processing “raw”water through a filter media to remove solid particulates and/ordissolved components. The term “raw” denotes water that is to befiltered through a particular filter media. It will be appreciated that“raw” water may have been previously filtered or treated using anothermeans or filtering system.

In some applications, water filtration media may be provided in the formof a cartridge, which is retained in a housing. Raw water must passthrough the filter cartridge, which traps solids particulates and/orions thereby rendering “treated” water. Filter cartridges can be made inmany configurations, including but not limited to tubular membranesformed of pleated membrane material, containers that retain variousforms of filtration media and tubular, spirally wound semi-permeablereverse osmosis membranes.

Regardless of the specific water filtration method used, the housingcontaining the operational filtration components may need to withstandsubstantial internal pressures generated during water filtration. Theinternal pressure may be generated due to a volume of water held withinthe housing, or as a consequence of the particular filtration method. Towithstand the water filtration-generated pressures, housings may beformed of steel, which is both expensive and heavy, composite glassfiber-reinforced plastics, or high-strength plastics.

Inasmuch as the use of high-strength materials for the housing mayprovide one solution for handling the substantial internal pressure,certain water filtration applications may present design needs notadequately addressed by material-selection alone. Particularly, certainwater filtration applications, such as point of entry, in-home or localwater filtration, may require periodic access to an interior of thehousing for maintenance, such as to replace a filter cartridge. Forthese applications, a housing which is capable of both handling thesubstantial internal pressures associated with water filtration andproviding access to an interior of the housing (e.g., to a filtercartridge) is needed.

Furthermore, certain water filtration applications may benefit fromusing more than one filtration method, with more than one filter media.The different filtration methods may be serially provided such that theraw water passes through each filtration method in sequence. However,assembling a multi-filtration-method water filtration system may requireadvanced planning and a specialized configuration of the system. Theadvanced planning and specialized configuration may add cost andintroduce inefficiency to the assembly of the multi-filtration-methodwater filtration system. Additionally, even for single-filtration-methodsystems, a particular housing associated with the filtration method tobe applied may need to be provided. Acquiring, storing, and transporting(e.g., to a job site) various different housings may be inconvenient forfiltration system installers, but may be necessary to allow theinstallers to assemble appropriate filtration systems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect, a pressure-sealed closing system is providedfor a water filtration housing. The water filtration housing has a headportion with an inner surface which defines a head opening, and the headportion is configured to be joined to a first end of a hollow body ofthe water filtration housing such that the head opening communicateswith an interior of the hollow body. The system includes a lid memberand a lock member. The lid member has a press section, and is configuredto be removably received by the head portion to cover the head openingwith the press section facing an outward direction relative to theinterior of the body. The lock member is configured to releasably engagethe head portion such that an abutment section of the lock memberprojects from the head portion into the head opening. The lock memberhas an inner portion forming the abutment section and an outer portionconfigured to be received in an indent defined in the head portion innersurface so as to engage the head portion. A pressure generated withinthe housing during water filtration presses the lid member in theoutward direction and causes the press section to press against theabutment section, thereby pressure sealing the housing at the headopening.

According to another aspect, a housing is provided for a waterfiltration system. The housing includes a body, a first lid member, anda first lock member. The body includes a first head portion provided ata first end thereof. The first head portion has an inner surface whichdefines a first head opening that communicates with an interior of thebody. The first lid member is removably received by the first headportion to cover the first head opening, and has a first press sectionwhich faces an outward direction relative to the interior of the body.The first lock member releasably engages the first head portion suchthat a first abutment section of the first lock member projects from thefirst head portion into the first head opening. The first lock memberhas an inner portion forming the first abutment section and an outerportion received in an indent defined in the first head portion innersurface so as to engage the first head portion. A pressure generatedwithin the housing during water filtration presses the first lid memberin the outward direction and causes the first press section to pressagainst the first abutment section, thereby pressure sealing the housingat the first head opening.

The housing can be used in a variety of applications and can contain avariety of different types of filtration cartridges. Thus, an installercan maintain an inventory of housings, filtration cartridges and heads,and can readily assemble the appropriate filtration system using thedesired components.

According to still another aspect, a water filtration system isprovided. The water filtration system includes a first housing, a secondhousing, a first filter media, and a second filter media. The firsthousing includes a body, a lid member, and a lock member. The bodyincludes a head portion provided at an end thereof. The head portion hasan inner surface which defines a head opening that communicates with aninterior of the body. The lid member is removably received by the headportion to cover the head opening, and has a press section which facesan outward direction relative to the interior of the body. The lockmember releasably engages the head portion such that an abutment sectionof the lock member projects from the head portion into the head opening.The lock member has an inner portion forming the abutment section and anouter portion received in an indent defined in the head portion innersurface so as to engage the head portion. A pressure generated withinthe first housing during water filtration presses the lid member in theoutward direction and causes the press section to press against theabutment section, thereby pressure sealing the first housing at the headopening. The second housing is identical to the first housing and incommunication with the first housing. The first filter media is receivedin the first housing, and the second filter media received in the secondhousing. The second filter media is different from the first filtermedia.

According to still another aspect, a method for assembling amulti-filtration-method water filtration system is provided. The methodincludes providing a first filter media in a first housing, engaging afirst liquid communicating device with the first housing, providing asecond filter media in a second housing, engaging a second liquidcommunicating device with the second housing lid member, and connectingan input of the first liquid communicating device to a water supplyline, connecting an output of the first liquid communicating device toan input of the second liquid communicating device, and connecting anoutput of the second liquid communicating device to a system outputline. The first housing includes a body, a lid member, and a lockmember. The first housing body includes a head portion provided at anend thereof, the head portion having an inner surface which defines ahead opening that communicates with an interior of the body. The firsthousing lid member is removably received by the head portion to coverthe head opening, and has a press section which faces an outwarddirection relative to the interior of the body. The first housing lockmember releasably engages the head portion such that an abutment sectionof the lock member projects from the head portion into the head opening.The first housing lock member has an inner portion forming the abutmentsection and an outer portion received in an indent defined in the headportion inner surface so as to engage the head portion. A pressuregenerated within the first housing during water filtration presses thelid member in the outward direction and causes the press section topress against the abutment section, thereby pressure sealing the firsthousing at the head opening. The second housing includes a body, a lidmember, and a lock member. The second housing body includes a headportion provided at an end thereof, the head portion having an innersurface which defines a head opening that communicates with an interiorof the body. The second housing lid member is removably received by thehead portion to cover the head opening, and has a press section whichfaces an outward direction relative to the interior of the body. Thesecond housing lock member releasably engages the head portion such thatan abutment section of the lock member projects from the head portioninto the head opening. The second housing lock member has an innerportion forming the abutment section and an outer portion received in anindent defined in the head portion inner surface so as to engage thehead portion. A pressure generated within the second housing duringwater filtration presses the lid member in the outward direction andcauses the press section to press against the abutment section, therebypressure sealing the second housing at the head opening.

The foregoing and other features of the invention are hereinafter morefully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, thefollowing description setting forth in detail certain illustrativeembodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of but afew of the various ways in which the principles of the present inventionmay be employed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of an exemplary water filtration system accordingto the instant disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an upper housing end and upperlid member of the exemplary water filtration system.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating the upper housing end and upperlid member of the exemplary water filtration system.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating a lower housing end and lowerlid member of the exemplary water filtration system.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating the lower housing end and lowerlid member of the exemplary water filtration system.

FIG. 6A is a front view of an exemplary filter cartridge for use withthe exemplary water filtration system.

FIG. 6B is a sectional view illustrating the filter cartridge shown inFIG. 6A received in the exemplary water filtration system housing.

FIG. 7A is a sectional view illustrating an exemplary filter casing foruse with the exemplary water filtration system.

FIG. 7B is a sectional view illustrating the filter casing shown in FIG.7A received in the exemplary water filtration system.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view illustrating an exemplarymulti-filtration-method water filtration system according to the instantdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The description and drawings herein are merely illustrative, and variousmodifications and changes can be made in the structures disclosedwithout departing from what is defined in the appended claims. Allreferences to direction and position, unless otherwise indicated, referto the orientation of the structures and components illustrated in thedrawings and should not be construed as limiting the claims appendedhereto. Like numbers refer to like parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary water filtration system 100 (hereinafter,“system 100”) which is configured for a point of entry, in-home waterfiltration application employed using a filter cartridge or casing-basedfiltration process. The system 100 includes a housing 102 having a body103 with a first or upper head portion 104 which is closed and pressuresealed by a first or upper closing assembly 106 and a second or lowerhead portion 108, opposite from the first head portion 104, which isclosed and pressure sealed by a second or lower closing assembly 110.Each closing assembly 106, 110 cooperates with the associated headportion 104, 108 to form a pressure-sealed closing system, as isdescribed in further detail below. The system 100 also includes a T-pipe112 communicating an interior of the housing 102 with external waterlines (not shown), and a support stand 114 on which the housing 102rests.

It is to be appreciated that, though not illustrated in FIG. 1, thehousing 102 is provided to house various operational water filtrationcomponents, such as a water filter cartridge (“filter cartridge”). It isalso to be appreciated that the herein described housing 102 and closingassemblies 106, 110 are amenable for use with any manner of waterfiltration process. Moreover, the various water filtration processes,including that/those associated with the exemplarily illustrated system100, are considered to be known in the art, and as such the process(es)and the particular internal components used therewith, will not bedescribed in detail in the instant application. For ease ofunderstanding, the system 100 and the housing 102 will be described withreference to the exemplary filter cartridge-based filtration process.

The housing body 103 is a hollow, cylindrical member formed of apolymeric material, which is overwrapped and reinforced with glass-fiberfilaments in a winding process. The body 103 is sized to fit theoperational water filtration components, including the filter cartridge,as well as a sufficient quantity of water to allow for water filtrationto be carried out and to supply the required or desired quantity offiltered water. More particularly, the body 103 has a height anddiameter which are greater than that of the filter cartridge to behoused therein. The walls defining the body 103 may be thin relative toan interior space defined thereby.

As a hollow, cylindrical member, the body 103 defines a first or uppercircular body opening at an upper end and a second or lower circularbody opening at a lower end. The upper and lower ends of the body 103are capped by the upper head portion 104 and the lower head portion 108,respectively. The upper and lower head portions 104, 108 are eachgenerally annular members configured to be attached to the respectiveupper and lower ends of the body 103. As a generally annular member, aninner surface of the upper head portion 104 defines a first or upperhead opening 116 which communicates and is concentrically provided withthe upper body opening. Similarly, the inner surface of the generallyannular lower head portion 108 defines a second or lower head opening118 which communicates and is concentrically provided with the lowerbody opening. For the purposes of this description, the upper headopening 116 and upper body opening will collectively be referenced asthe “upper head opening 116”, and the lower head opening 118 and thelower body opening will be collectively referenced as the “lower headopening 118”. Both the upper head opening 116 and the lower head opening118 may have a circular shape when viewed from above and below in FIG.1.

The upper head portion 104 and the lower head portion 108 areadvantageously joined to the body 103 via spin-welding. However, otherbonding processes can be used. Furthermore, the housing 102 may beformed as, or include features, described in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/703,464, filed on Feb. 10, 2010.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the upper head portion 104 includes abulbous proximal section 124 having a lower end configured to beattached to an upper end of the body 103, and a distal section 126spaced from the bulbous proximal section 124 along a taper such that thedistal section 126 defines an outer diameter less than that of theproximal section 124. The taper provides a mechanical gripping surfacefor filaments wound over the upper head portion 104 and the body 103.The lower head portion 108 is joined to the body 103 in the same manner,and features the same tapered contour and reinforcing filaments 188 (seeFIG. 5).

The upper head portion 104 is formed of an outer barrel portion 104A andan inner collar portion 104B. The outer barrel portion 104A may beformed of a thermoplastic polymer, such as polypropylene or anotherolefinic thermoplastic polymer or copolymer that will readily bond withthe body 103. The inner collar portion 104B may be formed of afiber-reinforced polymer, which need not be thermoplastic. For example,the inner collar portion 104B may be formed of a glass-fiber filledolefinic polymer or copolymer (e.g., polypropylene).

The upper head portion 104 may be formed by overmolding the outer barrelportion 104A onto the inner collar portion 104B such that the outerbarrel portion 104A at least partially covers an outer side of the innercollar portion 104B. The term “overmolded”, as used herein, means thatthe outer barrel portion 104A has been bonded to the inner collarportion 104B by a molding process in which a molten polymer used to formone of the outer barrel portion 104A or the inner collar portion 104B isinjected into a mold containing the other of the outer barrel portion104A or the inner collar portion 104B (or a precursor thereof).Furthermore, it is also possible to overmold a thermoplastic precursorwith a fiber-reinforced polymer (or vice-versa) to form a blank, andthen remove material from the blank to form the upper head portion 104.The lower head portion 108 may be formed by the same overmoldingprocess.

As noted above, the upper head portion 104 may be joined to the body 103by spin-welding. In this regard, the outer barrel portion 104A is formedof a material which will readily bond with the body 103 duringspin-welding. Once spin-welded together, the upper head portion 104 andthe body 103 have glass-fiber filaments wound therearound for strength.As will be apparent with reference to the below description, the innercollar portion 104B may benefit from being formed of a more rigidmaterial so as to support the upper closing assembly 106.

With reference to the upper head opening 116, it is noted that the innersurface of the upper head portion 104 defines the upper head opening116. As shown in FIG. 3, an outward portion of the inner surface of theupper head portion 104 is formed of the inner collar portion 104B, whilean inward portion of the inner surface of the upper head portion 104 isformed of the outer barrel portion 104A. Further, the inner collarportion 104B (i.e., the outward portion of the upper head portion 104)defines a substantially uniform diameter and circumference, while theouter barrel portion 104A (i.e., the inward portion of the upper headportion 104) defines an inwardly tapering diameter and circumference.The diameter of the upper head opening 116 may be the same as thediameter of the lower head opening 118. However, it will be appreciatedthat the diameter of the upper head opening 116 can be greater or lessthan that of the lower head opening 118, if desired. It is also notedthat the lower head portion 108 may be formed in an identical manner tothe upper head portion 104.

With further reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the upper closing assembly 106,which closes and pressure seals the housing 102 at the upper headopening 116, includes a first or upper lid member 128 and a first orupper lock member 130. The upper lid member 128 may be an injectionmolded plastic body, define a generally circular shape when viewed fromabove in FIG. 1, and have an outer diameter which corresponds to that ofthe inner diameter of the upper head portion 104 (i.e., the diameter ofthe upper head opening 116). More particularly, a lateral outer surfaceof the upper lid member 128 has a maximum diameter at an outward (upwardin FIG. 3) portion thereof, with an inwardly-tapered inward (downward inFIG. 3) portion defining a lesser diameter. The maximum diameter of thelateral outer surface of the upper lid member 128 is greater than thediameter defined by the tapered part of the outer barrel portion 104A.Accordingly, when the upper lid member 128 is placed in the upper headopening 116, the outward portion of the upper lid member 128 contactsthe inward portion of the upper head portion 104 and is prevented frompassing thereby. As such, a maximum depth at which the upper lid member128 may be received within the upper head portion 104 and the body 103is set.

The upper lid member 128 is formed of an outer annular section 134integrated with an inner dome section 136. The outer annular section 134includes an upper or outward-facing surface 138 which is substantiallyparallel to a plane of the upper head opening 116, and defines a lidindent formed of a substantially horizontally oriented press section 140which extends around an outer circumferential periphery of the outerannular section upper surface 138, and a vertically oriented safetyledge 141 disposed at an inner radial edge of the press section 140. Thepress section 140 is an outward/upward facing surface of the lid member128 which is horizontally oriented. The upper lid member 128 may alsoinclude an O-ring receiving indent 132 formed as an annular indent alongan inward (lower) portion of the lateral outer surface of the upper lidmember 128. The provision of an O-ring may facilitate the sealing of theupper head opening 116 by the upper lid member 128.

The inner dome section 136 protrudes in an upward direction, away fromthe body 103, to an apex which is centrally disposed relative to theupper head opening 116. The outer annular section 134 and inner domesection 136 may be integrally formed such that the upper lid member 128constitutes a single, unitary piece (as illustrated). It is noted that,as used herein, the term outward refers to an up or down direction inFIG. 1 and is referenced with respect to a center of the housing in theup/down direction (i.e., outward is up with reference to the upperclosing assembly 106 and down with reference to the lower closingassembly 110).

The upper lid member 128 may be provided with a pair of handles 142secured thereto via securing means. The handles 142 are configured tovertically extend from the upper lid member 128 so as to provide agripping or leverage point for a user trying to place or remove theupper lid member 128. As illustrated, the securing means may be screwsdriven into the upper lid member 128. However, it is to be appreciatedthat any other suitable securing means may be used in place of thescrews.

A pressure release mechanism 144 is provided as a selectively actuatablepressure release button on the apex of the upper lid member inner domesection 136. In this regard, an opening may be defined through the apexof the first lid member inner dome section 136 so as to communicate withan interior of the housing 102. The pressure release mechanism 144 isprovided within this opening so as to protrude upwardly therefrom. In abase state (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) the pressure release mechanism 144closes and seals the opening defined through the apex of the upper lidmember inner dome section 136. The pressure release mechanism 144 may beactuated by pressing downwardly or inwardly thereon so as to open theopening and allow pressure within the housing 102 to be released.Pressure release mechanisms of this type are considered to be known inthe art, and will therefore not be described in detail herein. It is tobe appreciated that the illustrated pressure release mechanism 144 ismerely exemplary, and may be replaced using any other known mechanismfor releasing pressure within the housing 102 which is suitable for thisapplication, including those which may be provided on any other portionof the housing 102, the upper closing assembly 106 or the lower closingassembly 110. It is also to be appreciated that the pressure releasemechanism 144 may alternatively or additionally be provided on thehousing 102 and/or on a lower lid member 150.

Upon release of pressure from within the housing 102, water may beforced out of the housing 102 through the opening defined through theapex of the upper lid member inner dome section 136 or through thepressure release mechanism 144. The inner dome section 136 has aplurality of reservoirs defined in an outward facing surface thereofwhich may be concentrically arranged to surround the apex so as toreceive and temporarily hold the water exiting the housing 102 duringpressure release. Alternatively, a single moat-type reservoir may bedefined in the any part of the upper lid member 128, and/or theplurality of reservoirs may be provided on the outer annular section 134as well.

The upper lock member 130 is an incomplete annular or ring-shaped bodyprovided with a handle 146. The upper lock member 130 has a generallycircular base shape when viewed from above in FIG. 1. As the upper lockmember 130 has an incomplete ring-shape, the upper lock member 130 maybe deformed from the generally circular shape so as to facilitatereleasable engagement with and disengagement from the upper head portion104, as will be described in further detail below. In this regard, thehandle 146 is provided to facilitate deformation of the upper lockmember 130.

With reference to FIG. 3, a head indent 148 is defined in the innersurface of the upper head portion 104. The head indent 148 extends alongan entire circumference of the inner surface of the upper head portion104 at a generally intermediate vertical position of the upper headportion 104, and may be defined entirely in the inner collar portion104B. An inner, vertically-oriented surface of the head indent 148defines a diameter and circumference greater than an inner diameter andcircumference of the upper head portion 104 (i.e., the upper headopening 116). A height of the head indent 148 is substantially equal to,or slightly greater than, a height of the upper lock member 130 suchthat a portion of the upper lock member 130 can be received within thehead indent 148 so as to engage the upper lock member 130 with the upperhead portion 104. It is noted that the inner collar portion 104B isformed to be stronger and/or more rigid than the outer barrel portion104A. As such, by defining the head indent 148 in the inner collarportion 104B, the upper lock member 130 may engage the upper headportion 104 at a more rigid and secure portion.

With further reference to the upper lock member 130, an outercircumference thereof is substantially equal to, or slightly less than,the inner circumference of the head indent 148 at the inner,vertically-oriented surface. Furthermore, a width of the upper lockmember 130 (defined herein as a length between an outer circumferentialsurface and an inner circumferential surface) may be substantially equalto a sum of a width of the head indent 148 and a width of the presssection 140.

As noted, the upper lock member 130 is configured to releasably engagethe upper head portion 104. In this regard, an inner circumferentialportion (inner portion) of the upper lock member 130 forms an abutmentsection and an outer circumferential portion (outer portion) of theupper lock member 130 is configured to engage the upper head portion 104by being received within the head indent 148. The abutment section ofthe upper lock member 130 may be defined as the portion of the upperlock member 130 which protrudes into the upper head opening 116 from thehead indent 148 when the upper lock member 130 engages the upper headportion 104. As will be discussed in further detail below, an inwardfacing portion of the abutment section of the upper lock member 130 isconfigured to abut the outward facing press section 140 of the upper lidmember 128.

The upper closing assembly 106 closes and pressure seals the upper headopening 116 by placing the upper lid member 128 within the upper headportion 104 so as to fully cover the upper head opening 116. The upperlid member 128 may contact the tapered inner surface of the upper headportion 104 defined by the outer barrel portion 104A. In this condition,when the housing 102 is not pressurized during water filtration, theupper lid member 128 contacts and is held by the tapered inner surfaceof the upper head portion 104 such that the press section 140 of theupper lid member 128 is at a rest height. The upper lock member 130 isthen deformed and received within the head indent 148 so as to protrudetherefrom into the upper head opening 116 (i.e., the upper lock member130 engages the upper head portion 104) at a position adjacent to, butwhich may be spaced from (in the outward direction), the outward facingpress section 140 of the lid member 128.

Once the system 100 is operable (i.e., water filtration begins), thepressure generated within the housing 102 during water filtrationpresses the upper lid member 128 outwardly (upperwardly) such that thepress section 140 moves in the outward direction and presses theabutment section of the upper lock member 130. This pressing causes theupper lock member 130 to press into an upper surface of the head indent148. The upper lid member 128 is pressed into the upper lock member 130with a force sufficient to make disengagement of the upper lock member130 from the upper head portion 104 extremely difficult or impossible.More particularly, the press section 140 of the upper lid member 128 iscaused by pressure within the housing 102 to press the abutment sectionof the upper lock member 130 with a force sufficient to substantiallyprevent the upper lock member 130 from being deformed, and therebypreventing the upper lock member 130 from disengaging the upper headportion 104.

The upper lock member 130 is thereby wedged between the upper lid member128 and the head indent 148 with such a force that deformation of theupper lock member 130 is made very difficult, if not impossible, for ahuman user (or a machine controller, if applicable). In this regard, itis noted that the upper lid member 128 may be received within the upperhead portion 104 so as to be movable over a relatively small verticalrange. The base positions of the upper lid member 128 and the lockmember 130 (including the head indent 148) when the housing 102 is notpressurized are such that the outward force exerted on the upper lidmember 128 as a result of internal pressures typical for the appliedwater filtration process is sufficient to cause the upper lid member 128to press into the upper lock member 130 with the force sufficient tosubstantially prevent deformation of the upper lock member 130 (andtherefore also to prevent disengagement from the upper head portion104). Moreover, as the head indent 148 is formed in the relatively morerigid inner collar portion 104B, the upper head portion 104 is betterequipped to handle the pressures exerted thereon by the upper closingassembly 106 (i.e., the upper lock member 130 via the upper lid member128).

Despite the pressure making deformation of the upper lock member 130difficult, the pressure-sealed closing system still provides safetymechanisms to help ensure that the upper lock member 130 does notdisengage from the upper head portion 104 when the housing 102 ispressurized during water filtration. In this regard, the handle 146 maybe provided with a reduced-strength portion which is configured to fail(e.g., break or otherwise deform) upon exertion of a predetermined forceon the handle 146. The reduced-strength portion may be formed such thatthe predetermined force is a force less than that required to deformand/or disengage the upper lock member 130 from the upper head portion104 when the housing 102 is pressure sealed. Accordingly, if a forcesufficient to cause the upper lock member 130 to deform is applied tothe handle 146 while the housing 102 is pressure sealed, the handle 146will fail (e.g., break), thereby preventing deformation and/ordisengagement of the upper lock member 130.

Furthermore, as noted above, the upper lid member 128 is provided withthe safety ledge 141, which is disposed at the inner radial edge of thepress section 140. The safety ledge 141 is formed such that, when thehousing 102 is pressure sealed with the press section 140 pressingagainst abutment section of the upper lock member 130, the safety ledge141 prevents deformation and disengagement of the upper lock member 130.Specifically, an attempted deformation of the upper lock member 130 willcause an inner edge of the upper lock member 130 to abut against thesafety ledge 141, thereby preventing further deformation of the upperlock member 130. Accordingly, even if the upper lock member 130 isforcibly moved to deform while the housing 102 is pressure sealed, theupper lock member 130 cannot be deformed and disengaged from the upperhead portion 104.

To disengage the upper lock member 130 from the upper head portion 104,the housing 102 must be depressurized (i.e., by actuating the pressurerelease mechanism 144). Once depressurized, the upper lid member 128 islowered within the upper head portion 104 such that the press section140 is at the rest height. The safety ledge 141 is formed such that,when the press section 140 is at the rest height, the upper lock member130 is not prevented from deforming or disengaging from the upper headportion 104 by the safety ledge 141. That is, the safety ledge 141 isformed to have a height such that, when the press section 140 is at therest height, an upper/outward end of the safety ledge 141 is disposedsubstantially inwardly/downwardly from the abutment section of the lockmember 130, so that the upper lock member 130 may be deformed withoutabutting or being blocked by the safety ledge 141.

Accordingly, when the system 100 is operational and the housing 102 ispressurized, the upper lock member 130 cannot be deformed, and the upperlid member 128 and upper lock member 130 cannot be removed. This stateis herein referenced as a “pressure sealed” state (i.e., the upper lidmember 128, upper lock member 130, and upper head portion 104 cooperateto pressure seal the housing at the upper head opening 116). To removethe upper lock member 130, the pressure release mechanism 144 must beactuated to release the pressure within the housing 102. Once thepressure is released, the pressure seal is released (i.e., the pressingon the upper lock member 130 by the upper lid member 128 is relieved),the upper lid member 128 is lowered such that the press section 140nears the rest height, and the upper lock member 130 may be deformed andremoved.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, it is noted that the lower head portion108 may be formed in a substantially similar manner to the upper headportion 104. In this regard, the lower head portion 108 may include alower bulbous proximal section 120 having an upper end configured to beattached to a lower end of the body 103, and a lower distal section 122spaced from the lower bulbous proximal section 120 along a taper suchthat the lower distal section 122 defines an outer diameter less thanthat of the lower proximal section 120. As with the upper head portion104, the taper of the lower head portion 108 provides a mechanicalgripping surface for the filaments 188 wound over the lower head portion108 and the body 103.

Furthermore, the lower head portion 108 is formed of an outer barrelportion 108A and an inner collar portion 108B. The outer barrel portion108A may be formed of a thermoplastic polymer, such as polypropylene oranother olefinic thermoplastic polymer or copolymer that will readilybond with the body 103. The inner collar portion 108B may be formed of afiber-reinforced polymer, which need not be thermoplastic. For example,the inner collar portion 108B may be formed of a glass-fiber filledolefinic polymer or copolymer (e.g., polypropylene). The lower headportion 108, including the outer barrel portion 108A and the innercollar portion 108B, are formed of the same or similar materials and inthe same manner as the upper head portion 104 (i.e., overmolded).Additionally, the lower head portion 108 may be joined to the body 103by spin-welding. In this regard, the outer barrel portion 108A is formedof a material which will readily bond with the body 103 duringspin-welding. Once spin-welded together, the lower head portion 108 andthe body 103 have glass-fiber filaments wound therearound for strength.As will be apparent with reference to the below description, the innercollar portion 108B may benefit from being formed of a more rigidmaterial so as to support the lower closing assembly 110.

With reference to the lower head opening 118, it is noted that the innersurface of the lower head portion 108 defines the lower head opening118. As shown in FIG. 5, an outward portion of the inner surface of thelower head portion 108 is formed of the inner collar portion 108B, whilean inward portion of the inner surface of the lower head portion 108 isformed of the outer barrel portion 108A. Further, the inner collarportion 108B (i.e., the outward portion of the lower head portion 108)defines a substantially uniform diameter and circumference, while theouter barrel portion 108A (i.e., the inward portion of the lower headportion 108) defines an inwardly tapering diameter and circumference.

With further reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the lower closing assembly 110,which closes and pressure seals the housing 102 at the lower headopening 118, includes a second or lower lid member 150 and a second orlower lock member 152. The lower lid member 150 may be an injectionmolded plastic body, define a generally circular shape when viewed frombelow in FIG. 1, and have an outer diameter which corresponds to (i.e.,is substantially equal to or slightly less than) the inner diameter ofthe lower head portion 108 (i.e., the diameter of the lower head opening118). The lower lid member 150 is sized to be received in the lower headportion 108 so as to close the lower head opening 118, and has a maximumdiameter greater than the diameter defined by the tapered part of theouter barrel portion 108A.

Accordingly, when the lower lid member 150 is placed in the lower headopening 118, the outward portion of the lower lid member 150 contactsthe inward portion of the lower head portion 108 and is prevented frompassing thereby. As such, a maximum depth at which the lower lid member150 may be received within the lower head portion 108 and the body 103is set. As will be described in further detail below, the lower lockmember 152 sets a depth at which the lower lid member 150 is receivedwithin the lower head portion 108 and the body 103 when the housing 102is pressurized.

The lower lid member 150 is formed of an outer annular section 154integrated with an inner projecting section 156. The outer annularsection 154 includes a lower or outward-facing surface 158 which issubstantially parallel to a plane of the lower head opening 118, anddefines a lower lid indent formed of a substantially horizontallyoriented lower press section 160 which extends around an outercircumferential periphery of the outer annular section lower surface158, and a vertically oriented lower safety ledge 161 disposed at aninner radial edge of the lower press section 160. The lower presssection 160 is an outward or downward facing surface of the lower lidmember 150 which is horizontally oriented. The inner projecting section156 protrudes substantially orthogonally from the outer annular section154 in an outward or downward direction. The inner projecting section156 defines a line opening 159 which is disposed so as to besubstantially centrally located within the lower head opening 118. Theline opening 159 is defined as a substantially circular opening whichcommunicates with an interior of the housing 102, and is threaded forengagement with the T-pipe 112, as described in further detail below.The outer annular section 154 and the inner projecting section 156 maybe integrally formed such that the lower lid member 150 constitutes asingle, unitary piece (as illustrated).

The lower lock member 152 is an incomplete annular or ring-shaped bodyprovided with a handle 162. The lower lock member 152 has a generallycircular base shape when viewed from below in FIG. 1. As the lower lockmember 152 has an incomplete ring-shape, the lower lock member 152 maybe deformed from the generally circular shape so as to facilitatereleasable engagement with and disengagement from the lower head portion108, as will be described in further detail below. In this regard, thehandle 162 is provided to facilitate deformation of the lower lockmember 152.

With reference to FIG. 5, a lower head indent 164 is defined in theinner surface of the lower head portion 108, in the lower head innercollar portion 108B which is overmolded with the lower head outer barrelportion 108A. The lower head indent 164 extends along an entirecircumference of the inner surface of the lower head portion 108 at agenerally intermediate vertical position of the lower head portion 108.An inner, vertically-oriented surface of the head indent 164 defines adiameter and circumference greater than an inner diameter andcircumference of the lower head portion 108 (i.e., the lower headopening 118). A height of the lower head indent 164 is substantiallyequal to, or slightly greater than, a height of the lower lock member152 such that a portion of the lower lock member 152 can be receivedwithin the lower head indent 164 so as to engage the lower lock member152 with the lower head portion 108. It is noted that the inner collarportion 108B is formed to be stronger and/or more rigid than the outerbarrel portion 108A. As such, by defining the lower head indent 164 inthe inner collar portion 108B, the lower lock member 152 may engage thelower head portion 108 at a more rigid and secure portion thereof.

With further reference to the lower lock member 152, an outercircumference thereof is substantially equal to, or slightly less than,the inner circumference of the lower head indent 164 at the inner,vertically-oriented surface. Furthermore, a width of the lower lockmember 152 (defined herein as a length between an outer circumferentialsurface and an inner circumferential surface) may be substantially equalto a sum of a width of the head indent 164 and a width of the lid indent160.

As noted, the lower lock member 152 is configured to releasably engagethe lower head portion 108. In this regard, an inner circumferentialportion (inner portion) of the lower lock member 152 forms an abutmentsection and an outer circumferential portion (outer portion) of thelower lock member 152 is configured to engage the lower head portion 108by being received within the lower head indent 164. The abutment sectionof the lower lock member 152 may be defined as the portion of the lowerlock member 152 which protrudes into the lower head opening 118 from thelower head indent 164 when the lower lock member 152 engages the lowerhead portion 108. As will be discussed in further detail below, aninward facing portion of the abutment section of the lower lock member152 is configured to abut the outward facing press 160 section of thelower lid member 150.

The lower closing assembly 110 closes and pressure seals the lower headopening 118 by placing the lower lid member 150 within the lower headportion 108 such that the lower lid member 150 fully covers the lowerhead opening 118. The lower lid member 150 may contact the tapered innersurface of the lower head portion 108 defined by the outer barrelportion 108A. In this condition, when the housing 102 is not pressurizedduring water filtration, the lower lid member 150 may be moved tocontact the tapered inner surface of the lower head portion 108 suchthat the press section 160 does not press against the abutment sectionof the lower lock member 152 (i.e., the press section 160 may be movedto a rest height). The lower lock member 152 is then deformed andreceived within the lower head indent 164 (i.e., the lower lock member152 engages the lower head portion 108) at a position adjacent to, butwhich may be spaced from (in the outward direction), the outward facingpress section 160 of the lower lid member 150. Inasmuch as the lowerhead portion 108 may be a lower end of the housing 102, the lower lidmember 150 may abut the lower lock member 152 due to gravity. In thisway, the lower lock member 152 may set a position of the lower lidmember 150 even when the housing 102 is not pressurized.

Once the system 100 is operable (i.e., water filtration begins), thepressure generated within the housing 102 during water filtrationpresses the lower lid member 150 outwardly (downwardly) such that thepress section 160 presses the abutment section of the lower lock member152. This pressing causes the lower lock member 152 to press into alower surface of the lower head indent 164. The lower lid member 150 ispressed into the lower lock member 152 with a force sufficient to makedisengagement of the lower lock member 152 from the lower head portion108 extremely difficult or impossible. More particularly, the presssection 160 of the lower lid member 150 is caused by pressure within thehousing 102 to press the abutment section of the lower lock member 152with a force sufficient to substantially prevent the lower lock member152 from being deformed, and thereby preventing the lower lock member152 from disengaging the lower head portion 108.

The lower lid member 150 is thereby made, through action of the pressuregenerated within the housing 102 during water filtration, to wedge thelower lock member 152 between the lower lid member 150 and the lowerhead indent 164 with such a force that deformation of the lower lockmember 152 is made very difficult, if not impossible, for a human user(or a machine controller, if applicable). In this regard, it is notedthat the lower lid member 150 may be received within the lower headportion 104 so as to be movable over a relatively small vertical range.The base positions of the lower lid member 150 and the lower lock member152 (including the lower head indent 164) when the housing 102 is notpressurized (i.e., the rest height) are such that the outward forceexerted on the lower lid member 150 as a result of internal pressurestypical for the applied water filtration process is sufficient to causethe lower lid member 150 to press into the lower lock member 152 withthe force sufficient to substantially prevent deformation of the lowerlock member 152 (and therefore also to substantially preventdisengagement from the lower head portion 108). It is also noted thatthe lower lock member 152 is received in the lower head indent 164defined in a relatively more rigid portion of the lower head portion108, so that the lower head portion 108 is better equipped to handle thepressures exerted thereon by the lower closing assembly 108 (i.e., thelower lock member 152 via the lower lid member 150).

Furthermore, the pressure-sealed closing system may provide safetymechanisms, similar to those used with the upper closing assembly 106,to help ensure that the lower lock member 152 does not disengage fromthe lower head portion 104 when the housing 102 is pressurized duringwater filtration. In this regard, the lower handle 162 may be providedwith a reduced-strength portion which is configured to fail (e.g., breakor otherwise deform) upon exertion of a predetermined force on the lowerhandle 162. The reduced-strength portion may be formed such that thepredetermined force is a force less than that required to deform and/ordisengage the lower lock member 152 from the lower head portion 108 whenthe housing 102 is pressure sealed. Accordingly, if a force sufficientto deform the lower lock member 150 is applied to the lower handle 162while the housing 102 is pressure sealed, the lower handle 162 will fail(e.g., break), thereby preventing deformation and/or disengagement ofthe lower lock member 152.

Additionally, as noted above, the lower lid member 152 is provided withthe safety ledge 161, which is disposed at the inner radial edge of thepress section 160. The safety ledge 161 is formed such that, when thehousing 102 is pressure sealed with the press section 160 pressingagainst abutment section of the lower lock member 152, the safety ledge161 prevents deformation and disengagement of the lower lock member 152.Specifically, an attempted deformation of the lower lock member 152 willcause an inner edge of the lower lock member 152 to abut against thesafety ledge 161, thereby preventing further deformation of the lowerlock member 152. Accordingly, even if the lower lock member 152 isforcibly moved to deform while the housing 102 is pressure sealed, thelower lock member 152 cannot be deformed and disengaged from the lowerhead portion 108.

To disengage the lower lock member 152 from the lower head portion 108,the housing 102 must be depressurized (i.e., by actuating the pressurerelease mechanism 144). Once depressurized, the lower lid member 150 maybe moved within the lower head portion 108 to place the press section160 is at the rest height. The safety ledge 161 is formed such that,when the press section 160 is at the rest height, the lower lock member152 is not prevented from deforming or disengaging from the lower headportion 108 by the safety ledge 161. That is, the safety ledge 161 isformed to have a height such that, when the press section 160 of thelower lid member 150 is moved to the rest height, an upper/outward endof the safety ledge 161 is disposed substantially inwardly/upwardly fromthe abutment section of the lock member 152, so that the lower lockmember 152 may be deformed without abutting or being blocked by thesafety ledge 161.

Accordingly, when the system 100 is operational and the housing 102 ispressurized, deformation of the lower lock member 152 is extremelydifficult or impossible, and the lower lid member 150 and the lower lockmember 152 cannot be removed (i.e., the lower lid member 150 and thelower lock member 152 cooperate to pressure seal housing at the lowerhead opening 118). To remove the lower lock member 152, the pressurerelease mechanism 144 on the upper lid member 128 must be actuated torelease the pressure within the housing 102. Once the pressure isreleased, the pressure seal is released (i.e., the pressing on the lowerlock member 152 by the lower lid member 150 is relieved), and the lowerlock member 152 may be deformed and removed.

With further reference to FIGS. 1 and 4, it is noted that the T-pipe112, which includes a central line 166, a supply line 168, and a houseline 170 (system output line), is provided to communicate a main watersupply line (not shown) with an interior of the housing 102 and a housesupply line (not shown). Particularly, the central line 166, whichextends orthogonally to the supply and house lines 168, 170, is threadedalong an outward surface and is sized and shaped so as to threadedlyengage the line opening 159. Furthermore, a filter cartridge supportplate 172 may be provided with a central, hollow section configured tocommunicate with an upper end of the T-pipe central line 166. Thesupport plate 172 also includes a base section on which the filtercartridge is placed. Assuming the use of a reverse osmosis filtercartridge, the central, hollow section of the support plate 172 isconcentrically provided with the inner flow channel of the filtercartridge so as to communicate the inner flow channel of the filtercartridge with the T-pipe central line 166.

Operationally, water from main water supply line enters the system 100through the supply line 168 and central line 166 of the T-pipe 112. Oncein the housing 102, the water is subjected to water filtration (e.g.,reverse osmosis filtration) and passes through the cartridge innerchannel to the house supply line through the central line 166 and thehouse line 170. In this regard, though not illustrated as such, thecentral line 166 may define a bifurcated flow path whereby waterentering from the supply line 168 is directed into an area surroundingthe filter cartridge within the housing 102 along a first central linepath, while filtered water from the housing 102 is directed to the houseline 170 along a second central line path. Such a T-pipe is generallyknown in the art, and is therefore only summarily described andillustrated herein.

The above description of the system 100 sets forth a method for pressuresealing and opening the housing 102. To restate, the upper and lower lidmembers 128, 150 are placed within the upper and lower head portions104, 108 so as to fully cover the upper and lower head openings 116,118, respectively. The upper and lower lock members 130, 152 are thendeformed and received in the respective head indents 148, 164 such thatportions of the lock members 130, 152 which protrude into the headopenings 116, 118 abut outward facing press sections 140, 160 of the lidmembers 128, 150. Water filtration is then commenced by the system 100,generating a pressure within the housing 102. The pressure generatedwithin the housing 102 presses outwardly on the upper and lower lidmembers 128, 150. This causes the upper and lower lid members 128, 150to press against the respective lock members 130, 152 with a force whichsubstantially prevents deformation of the lock members 130, 152 (andtherefore also prevents disengagement of the lock members 130, 152 fromthe head portions 104, 108). In this state, the housing 102 is pressuresealed.

It is to be appreciated that the pressure generated within the housing102 is generated as a result of the water filtration process. Thelocking seal state is achieved through action of this pressure on thelid members 128, 150, lock members 130, 152, and head indents 148, 164,all of which are arranged so as to utilize the water filtration pressuregeneration to achieve the pressure sealed state. In this regard, theforce which substantially prevents deformation of the lock members 130,152 is a force generated as a result of the forces typically associatedwith water filtration. The housing 102 and closing assemblies 106, 110are configured and disposed so as to utilize the force from the internalpressure generated during the applied water filtration process toachieve the locking seal state.

To remove either or both of the upper and lower lid members 128, 150,the pressure release mechanism 144 is actuated to release the pressurewithin the housing 102. Once released, the upper and lower lock members130, 152 may be deformed and removed. The upper and lower lid members128, 150 are then freely removed.

It will be appreciated that various of the above-disclosed and otherfeatures and functions, or alternatives or varieties thereof, may bedesirably combined into many other different systems or applications.Also that various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives,modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequentlymade by those skilled in the art which are also intended to beencompassed by the following claims.

For example, the herein described system 100 is configured for point ofentry in home water filtration use. However, it is to be appreciatedthat the herein described housing and closing assembly are equallyamenable for use with other water filtration applications. Moreover,insofar as the body 103, the upper head portion 104, and the lower headportion 108 may be described as separate pieces, it is to be appreciatedthat these may all be contained in a single body which defines upper andlower openings.

Furthermore, while the closing assemblies are described as utilizingincomplete ring-shaped lock members received within an indent defined inhead portions, any other manner of lock member configured to abut thelid members may be used. For example, a plurality of lock members may bereceived in a plurality of indents defined in the head portion.Alternatively, the lock members may be configured to protrude from andretract into the head portion.

Further still, it is to be appreciated that the shapes and sizes of thefilter system components described herein may be varied as desired. Forexample, either or both of the lid members may be given any other shape,such as one which does not include an inner dome section. Moreover, thehousing body need not be cylindrical, and in such applications, theshape of the lid members may be altered to match a shape of the housingbody opening. The lid members are also described herein as being formedof injection molded plastic. However, the lid members may be formed ofany different material suitable for this application.

It is also reiterated that the herein described housing 102 and closingassemblies 106, 110 are amenable for use with any manner of filtrationprocess, especially those which generate an internal pressure. In thisregard, various modifications may be made to certain elements tofacilitate alternative water filtration methods. For example, theinterior of the housing body 103 may be altered and/or provided withalternative structure to support different filter cartridges (such as aplanar screen) and/or provide specific water solution movement withinthe housing 102. Additionally, any of the herein described elementshaving an inward facing portion may be equipped with a UV-emittingdevice. To further facilitate any manner of water filtration process,the T-pipe 112 may be replaced with any other liquid communicatingdevice or suitable mechanism for introducing water solution into thehousing 102, including those which are separate for entry and outputwater and are provided on different parts of the system. Additionally,the liquid communicating device(s) may be provided to the upper lidmember 128, rather than (or in addition to) the lower lid member 150.

Moreover, the housing 102 may be configured as a general-use toolbox tohouse any manner of filtration system. In this regard, the upper andlower lid members 104, 108 may be alternately configured to includedifferent valves or manifolds for different filtration applications.Furthermore, either or both of the upper and lower lid members 104, 108may be provided with a general purpose opening, which may be threaded,configured to engage various valves, manifolds, and/or other members(e.g., any of several types of communicating devices and/or the pressurerelease mechanism 144). To facilitate the use of the housing 102 as ageneral-use toolbox, the body 103 may be sized to receive a variety ofdifferent water filtration components (e.g., components for differenttypes of water filtration), and the upper and lower head openings 116,118 may be sized for these components to be inserted into the body 103.

For example, FIG. 6A illustrates an exemplary filter cartridge 174 whichis formed in a cylindrical shape. The filter cartridge 174 may include atubular, spirally wound semi-permeable reverse osmosis membranes, aswell as a handle 176 at an upper end, and a nozzle 178 at a lower end.The filter cartridge 174 is formed to fit within the housing 102. Thefilter cartridge 174 may take the form of any type of filter mediasuitably applied via the shown configuration.

The filter cartridge 174 is shown when received in the above-describedhousing 102 in FIG. 6B. Therein, the nozzle 178 is configured to receivetwo O-rings and to engage the inner projecting section 156 and/or theline opening 159 via the O-rings. In this configuration, raw water isintroduced via the supply line 168 to a portion of the housing 102between an outer surface of the filter cartridge 174 and the body 103.The raw water passes through the filter cartridge 174 to a center of thefilter cartridge 174. The filtered water at the center of the filtercartridge 174 is then directed out of the housing 102 via the supplyline 166 and the house line 170.

FIG. 7A illustrates an alterative filtering embodiment in which a filtercasing 180 is used. The filter casing 180 has a substantiallycylindrical shape and is sized to fit within the housing 102. The filtercasing 180 includes a lid 181 with a handle 182 at an upper end thereof,a nozzle 184 at a lower end thereof, and a midplate 186 separating aninterior of the filter casing 180 into two compartments. The lid 181 andthe filter casing 180 may be configured to threadedly engage one anothersuch that the lid 181 closes an upper end of the filter casing 180. Themidplate 186 may be formed as described in, e.g., U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/834,151, filed Aug. 6, 2007 and Ser. No.12/825,982, filed Jun. 29, 2010.

As shown in FIG. 7B, the filter casing 180 is received in the housing102 in a similar manner to the filter cartridge 174 (i.e., the nozzle184 receives O-rings and engages the inner projecting section 156 and/orthe line opening 159 via the O-rings). Raw water introduced directlyinto the housing 102 may be introduced directly into the filter casing180, or may be introduced to enter the filter casing 180 via the lid181. In this regard, the lid 181 may be formed to allow raw water toenter the filter casing 180. Any type of filter media may be providedwithin the filter casing 180. The use of the filter casing 180standardizes a size and shape of a filter media used with the housing102, and allows for ready disposal of filter media when desired (e.g.,arsenic filtration).

Additionally, certain filtration applications may benefit from theprovision of several housings, with each housing configured to performone type or level of filtration (i.e., multi-filtration-method waterfiltration systems). In such an application, each of several housings102 may be provided to serially communicate with one another, such thatthe filtered output from one housing is directed to the next. Such iseasily accomplished by connecting the house line 170 from one housing102 to the supply line 168 of another. This multi-filtration-methodwater filtration system is shown in FIG. 8, wherein a first housing102A, a second housing 102B, a third housing 102C, and a fourth housing102D are each identical and provided with a different type of filtercartridge 174A, 174B, respectively, or filter casing 180C, 180D andconnected to serially filter raw water.

Job site assembly is further simplified due to the housing beingconfigured for general use. Several housings and closing assemblies maybe brought to the job site along with the necessary components for thevarious types of water filtration to be carried out. Each of thehousings and filtration systems may then be assembled on the job site,with each of the housings being connected to one another to assemble aserial filtration system. As noted above, each of the housings (withrespective closing assemblies) is configured to receive and hold avariety of different types of filtration components, and the lid membersare configured to operate with different valves, manifolds, etc.Accordingly, rather than having to pre-assemble each filtration system,the components may be brought and assembled on site using thegeneral-use housing described herein. Moreover, storage of varioushousing, filter cartridges/casings, lid members, etc. is eased due toeach component being commonly used for various filtration methods.

It is further noted that the housing 102 may be formed to have amidplate, such as midplate 186, which separates an interior of thehousing 102 into two (or more) compartments. In such an embodiment, themidplate may be joined with the body 103, and the filter cartridge 174may be made to fit into each compartment of the housing 102.Accordingly, more than one type of filter cartridge 174 may be applied.

Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to thoseskilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects isnot limited to the specific details and illustrative examples shown anddescribed herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept asdefined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A water filtration system comprising: a hollowbody formed of a polymeric material having an upper end and an interior;an upper head having an inner surface which defines an upper headopening, the upper head being joined to the upper end of the hollow bodysuch that the upper head opening communicates with the interior of thehollow body; and an upper lid configured to be received by the upperhead to close the upper head opening; wherein the upper head comprises athermoplastic barrel portion and a reinforced polymer barrel portion,wherein the reinforced polymer barrel portion is made of a more rigidmaterial than the thermoplastic barrel portion, wherein thethermoplastic barrel portion at least partially covers an outer side ofthe reinforced polymer barrel portion, wherein the inner surface of theupper head, which defines the upper head opening, includes an upper partthat is defined by the reinforced polymer barrel portion and a lowerpart that is defined by the thermoplastic barrel portion, and whereinthe upper lid includes an annular indent in which an O-ring is received,said annular indent being formed in the upper lid such that the O-ringreceived in the annular indent contacts the lower part of the innersurface of the upper head formed of the thermoplastic barrel portionwhen the upper lid is received by the upper head to close the upper headopening.
 2. The water filtration system according to claim 1, whereinthe thermoplastic barrel portion that at least partially covers theouter side of the reinforced polymer barrel portion includes a bulbousproximal section having an end that is attached to the hollow body, anda distal section spaced from the bulbous proximal section along a tapersuch that the distal section defines an outer diameter less than that ofthe proximal section, and wherein the upper head and the hollow body areoverwrapped with reinforcing filaments with the taper providing amechanical gripping surface for the filaments.
 3. The water filtrationsystem according to claim 1, wherein the upper head includes an annularhead indent for receiving an upper lock member, and wherein the annularhead indent is formed in the upper part that is defined by thereinforced polymer barrel portion.
 4. The water filtration systemaccording to claim 3, further comprising the upper lock member in theform of an incomplete ring that is biased to expand into a circularshape defined by the annular head indent, wherein the upper lock memberis resiliently deformable such that the upper lock member can bedeformed and disengaged from the upper head portion when there is nopressure differential between the interior of the hollow body and anexterior of the hollow body.
 5. The water filtration system according toclaim 1, wherein the hollow body has a lower upper end, and wherein thehousing further comprises: a lower head having an inner surface whichdefines a lower head opening, the lower head being joined to the lowerend of the hollow body such that the lower head opening communicateswith the interior of the hollow body; and a lower lid configured to bereceived by the lower head to close the lower head opening; wherein thelower head comprises a lower head thermoplastic barrel portion and alower head reinforced polymer barrel portion, wherein the lower headreinforced polymer barrel portion is made of a more rigid material thanthe lower head thermoplastic barrel portion, wherein the lower headthermoplastic barrel portion at least partially covers an outer side ofthe lower head reinforced polymer barrel portion, wherein the innersurface of the lower head, which defines the lower head opening,includes a lower part that is defined by the reinforced polymer barrelportion and an upper part that is defined by the thermoplastic barrelportion, and wherein the lower lid includes a lower lid annular indentin which an O-ring is received, said lower lid annular indent beingformed in the lower lid such that the O-ring received in the lower lidannular indent contacts the upper part of the inner surface of the lowerhead formed of the lower head thermoplastic barrel portion when thelower lid is received by the lower head to close the lower head opening.6. The water filtration system according to claim 5, wherein the lowerhead thermoplastic barrel portion that at least partially covers theouter side of the lower head reinforced polymer barrel portion includesa bulbous proximal section having an end that is attached to the hollowbody, and a distal section spaced from the bulbous proximal sectionalong a taper such that the distal section defines an outer diameterless than that of the proximal section, and wherein the lower head andthe hollow body are overwrapped with reinforcing filaments with thetaper providing a mechanical gripping surface for the filaments.
 7. Thewater filtration system according to claim 5, wherein the lower headincludes a lower head annular head indent for receiving a lower lockmember, and wherein the lower head annular head indent is formed in thelower part that is defined by the lower head reinforced polymer barrelportion.
 8. The water filtration system according to claim 7, furthercomprising the lower lock member in the form of an incomplete ring thatis biased to expand into a circular shape defined by the lower headannular head indent, wherein the lower lock member is resilientlydeformable such that the lower lock member can be deformed anddisengaged from the lower head portion when there is no pressuredifferential between the interior of the hollow body and an exterior ofthe hollow body.
 9. The water filtration system according to claim 1,further comprising a filter casing removably received within the hollowbody.
 10. The water filtration system according to claim 1, wherein thefilter casing includes a handle at an upper end.
 11. The waterfiltration system according to claim 9, wherein the filter casingincludes a midplate that separates an interior of the filter casing intoan upper compartment and a lower compartment.
 12. The water filtrationsystem according to claim 11, wherein the upper compartment contains afirst media and the lower compartment contains a second media.
 13. Thewater filtration system according to claim 12, wherein the first mediaand the second media are different.
 14. The water filtration systemaccording to claim 5, further comprising a filter casing removablyreceived within the hollow body.
 15. The water filtration systemaccording to claim 14, wherein the filter casing includes a nozzle at alower end, wherein an outer side of the nozzle is provided with at leastone O-ring, wherein the lower lid includes an inner projecting sectionthat projects toward the interior of the hollow body, and wherein the atleast one O-ring sealingly engage the inner projecting section of thelower lid.
 16. The water filtration system according to claim 9, whereinthe upper head opening is large enough to accommodate insertion of thefilter casing into the interior of the hollow body when the upper lid isremoved from the upper head.
 17. A method for servicing a waterfiltration system according to claim 16, the method comprising: removingthe upper lid from the upper head; removing the filter casing from theinterior of the hollow body through the upper head opening; inserting areplacement filter casing into the interior of the hollow body throughthe upper head opening; and covering the upper head opening with theupper lid.
 18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the lid of thefilter casing includes a handle, and wherein the filter casing isremoved from the interior of the hollow body through the upper headopening by pulling on the handle.
 19. The method according to claim 17,wherein the filter casing includes a midplate that separates an interiorof the filter casing into an upper compartment and a lower compartment,wherein the upper compartment contains a first media and the lowercompartment contains a second media, and wherein the first media and thesecond media are different.
 20. A method for servicing a waterfiltration system according to claim 14, the method comprising: removingthe upper lid from the upper head; removing the filter casing from theinterior of the hollow body through the upper head opening; inserting areplacement filter casing into the interior of the hollow body throughthe upper head opening; and covering the upper head opening with theupper lid. wherein the filter casing includes a nozzle at a lower end,wherein an outer side of the nozzle is provided with at least oneO-ring, wherein the lower lid includes an inner projecting section thatprojects toward the interior of the hollow body, and wherein the atleast one O-ring sealingly engage the inner projecting section of thelower lid.